With this ring Part 1

The question has been popped and the ring is now happily at home on that finger that finally can make use of its name. Ever wonder why the ring finger became the lucky digit?

The most popular explanation:

The Egyptians believed that the fourth finger of the left hand (the thumb being considered a finger) contained a vein, the vena amoris, that ran directly to the heart. The ring, the shape of an unbroken circle symbolizing eternity, was placed on that finger during the ceremony.

The strangest explanation:

The study of chiromancy (a combination of astrology and palmistry ) attributes the ring finger not only to the God Apollo but to the heart. Wearing a ring on that finger was believed to protect against evil spirits and conduct energy to the heart of the wearer.

The religious explanation: (via Wikipedia)

The inception of the engagement ring itself can be tied to the Fourth Lateran Council presided over by Pope Innocent III in 1215 [2]. Innocent declared a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage; plain rings of gold, silver or iron were used earliest. Gems were important and reassuring status symbols to the aristocracy. Laws were passed to preserve a visible division of social rank, ensuring only the privileged wore florid jewels. As time passed and laws relaxed, diamonds and other gems became available to the middle class.

It was believed that the Catholic priest officiating the ceremony would take the ring and slide it over each finger of the hand, pronouncing that their union was blessed by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit before sliding it over the index finger.

IN SEARCH OF A BRIDE IN SEARCH OF A RING

Yes, Virginia, there IS a story with a happy ending in the news! After 40 years of wondering where her wedding ring scurried off to, she gets her answer.

GIVING BACK THE RING

But maybe you're wishing that ring would stay lost. Emily Post weighs in on the etiquette of what to do with the ring after the big day has been called off:


If an engagement is broken, the bride should immediately return the ring to her former fiancé. The only “but” in this case is if the ring is a family heirloom of the bride’s. She should then keep the ring. Some argue that the ring should not be returned to the fiancé if he was the one to initiate the break-up—rather than a mutual decision to call it quits. It makes more sense to return it. Why keep a painful reminder of the end of an engagement just to be spiteful? It’s better to take the high road and move on. The bride should also return any other presents of value her fiancé has given her, and he should return her gifts as well.

NEXT WEEK: Part 2 - male engagement rings, dearest rings and... snakes?